Virtual Guidebook to Marin and the North Bay CountiesBear Valley TrailPoint Reyes National Seashore California

Bear Valley is the best known and most traveled Point Reyes trail. It starts at the visitor center and follows a gap through the high ridges directly to the coast at Arch Rock, an easy four miles. It follows Bear Valley Creek up to its source at Divide Meadow, then follows Ocean Creek from there down to the ocean. Most of the way it goes through dense Douglas fir forest, with some surprisingly large trees.

This segment can be also be a part of a multi-day hike, turning right on the Coast Trail to Coast Camp, or left to Glenn Camp in the forest, or over the ridge and down to Wildcat Camp on the ocean clifftops.